The COVID-19 pandemic has created widespread budgeting woes for municipalities throughout the state, with fire protection and ambulance districts being hit particularly hard. In an effort to help ease these budgeting issues, the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will award $3.3 million in grants to eligible fire departments and ambulance services during the application period.

The OSFM has begun accepting applications for the grants, which will award up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. The funding can be used for small tools and equipment, firefighting personal protective equipment and personal infection control items (masks, gloves and gowns).

Most Illinois fire protection and ambulance districts are eligible. Additionally, most fire departments and ambulance services that are an EMS provider are also eligible. Fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments must have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting system for at least two years prior to applying.

Applications must be completed and postmarked by January 29, 2021.

Completed applications should be sent to:

Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal

Small Equipment Grant Program

1035 Stevenson Drive

Springfield, IL 62703

Additional details and application materials can be found here.

For more information about this article, contact Tressler attorney Jim Hess at jhess@tresslerllp.com.